| The "Natural" beef market in the United States is | | | | we woke up to these facts. In many people's |
| starting to explode on scene as a result of rapidly | | | | opinions, the day of the giant corporate feedlots |
| growing consumer demand for healthier and | | | | should be numbered, although organically raised |
| better tasting beef, free of growth hormones, | | | | beef is only about 1% of the total U.S. output. |
| antibiotics and other artificially added chemicals. | | | | Feedlots aren't likely to go away anytime soon, |
| Growth has been driven by healthier eating | | | | based on those numbers. |
| choices, food scares and health related issues as | | | | Another growing consideration is where the beef |
| well as the popularity of organic and "Natural" | | | | is being raised, and rightly so. Beef that is "locally |
| products available at the retail level. Overall beef | | | | produced" is a major consideration in beef |
| sales in the U.S. have been slowing since the late | | | | producing states, which makes sense. After all, |
| 1970's with one exception. Natural grass fed beef | | | | locally raised beef is a big economical boost for |
| has increased by a margin of 20% per year, | | | | local communities, especially out in the west and |
| pretty impressive numbers. | | | | midwest, where most of our beef comes from |
| Just exactly what is "Natural Beef" and what does | | | | anyway. In addition, "Natural" beef consumers in |
| it mean as a whole? Well, the short answer is | | | | the US do not view a product said to be |
| probably an obvious one, beef raised without any | | | | produced in state as enough of a qualification to |
| growth hormones or antibiotics etc. But here's | | | | support a "locally produced" advertisement. The |
| what's going on in the industry. Public awareness | | | | product must literally be produced within 50 to |
| has raised the bar of quality above the usual | | | | 100 miles to benefit from any locally produced |
| government standards, with prime consideration | | | | claim. |
| given to a combination of environmentally friendly | | | | Consumers have, more and more, expressed a |
| concerns such as waste management and | | | | willingness to pay more for "Natural" products, as |
| resource protection. For example, how are waste | | | | growing education and awareness fosters a larger |
| by products treated as well as what are the | | | | demand. Most surveys have demonstrated that |
| associated results to the grazing or ranch lands in | | | | roughly 70% of people who had a firm |
| terms of ecologically friendly ranching. Are we | | | | understanding of what "Natural" beef meant, |
| polluting rivers or lakes with waste product | | | | would pay a 10 - 20% premium for "Natural" beef |
| runoff? Is over grazing taking its toll through soil | | | | products. Of course, the cut and grade of the |
| erosion or natural habitat for wildlife being | | | | beef will always be important, which is proving to |
| compromised? Ranchers themselves are turning | | | | be the case for natural beef. Grass fed beef is |
| out to be the best stewards of the land, as much | | | | delicious and tender, even more so when it's |
| or more than any of the most "green groups". | | | | cured and air dried for high end prime beef |
| Even the beef processors are taking a stronger | | | | markets or treated less expensively for main |
| pro stance, learning and evaluating over the years | | | | streamsupermarkets. |
| just exactly what today's consumers are | | | | Due to growing consumer awareness, I think that |
| demanding from natural producers. How cattle are | | | | we will see a rapid and positive growth in the |
| raised and treated is a much stronger | | | | natural beef market as well as other meat |
| consideration today than ever. Key point , | | | | sources. This is great for our environment as well |
| humanely treated cattle raised in the most natural | | | | as our wallets and especially our palates. More to |
| environment possible is crucial, and it's about time | | | | come, thanks for reading. |